The Committee

Chair - Dr Jacqui Taylor - jtaylor@bournemouth.ac.uk

I am a chartered Academic Psychologist and I have been actively involved in the Society since the early 1990's. Since 2001, I have been the Newsletter Editor of the DTRP and I have represented the Division as CPD representative and Divisional Lead CPD Assessor for two years and currently serve as DTRP representative to the TOPTOP committee. I have also been involved with my local BPS Wessex Branch committee, where I have co-ordinated the Annual Wessex undergraduate/postgraduate student Psychology conference involving 7 local universities and recently I set up the Dorset Hub to promote Psychology teaching and research to the local community.

Following a Degree in Psychology and a Masters in information Systems, I studied for my PhD (a social psychological analysis of computer mediated communication) at the University of Portsmouth. After completing my PhD, I moved to Bournemouth University and am currently teaching on the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Computing and BSc Psychology degrees. My research continues to investigate the impact of communication technologies on interpersonal perceptions, identity and on group processes. Recently, I have applied the findings from this research in an educational context by conducting a pedagogic evaluation of the use of online seminars in Highier Education, for which I was awarded a University Learning and Teaching Fellowship. I am also interested in Positive Psychology and have started to look at the link between flow and online learning.

Vice Chair Research - Simon Goodson

I am currently a senior lecturer at Huddersfield University, my previous posts include Leeds Trinity and Sheffield University. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a PhD from Leeds University (investigating the effects of nutrients on bodyweight gain and behaviour), under the supervision of Professor John Blundell. My teaching responsibilities include Biopsychology and research methods. I have taught at all levels of the undergraduate programme and am currently involved with PhD supervision.

I am registered as a chartered Academic Psychologist and have been a member of the BPS since 1997. My research involves investigating the effects of videogames on physiological behaviour and cognitive appraisal. In addition, in collaboration with Helen Gavin, we have recently been awarded a grant for the development of computer based teaching materials to facilitate the understanding of Cognitive Biopsychology. My interest in developing novel teaching practices to enhance learning is one of the factors that ignited my interest in the DTRP.

Vice Chair Teaching - Liz Attree

I was elected to founder membership of the DTRP in December 1997, and I have served in my present role as VC (Teaching) for three years. I am currently a principal lecturer and programme leader for the BSc Psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of East London. My main teaching role is the module leadership of level one research methods (a core module with 350+ students). I also serve on the School's Learning and Teaching committee, as well as being a member of the Psychology Learning and Teaching Research Group. My pedagogic interests focus upon the use of Managed Learning Environments for learning and teaching. As regards academic research interests these have been varied, for example for many years I was involved in the use of virtual environments in rehabilitation and assessment of people with brain injury. Currently, my research activities relate to the assessment of cognitive function in people with chronic illness.

Treasurer - Dr Tim Jones

I am a senior lecturer at the University of Worcester, an Associate Fellow of the Society and both a Chartered Psychologist and Scientist. Prior to joining the University of Worcester I completed a number of post-doctoral and academic positions. My research interests focus around the relationship between physical, psychological and virtual spaces and how individuals are able to move between such spaces (either physically or virtually) and the resulting demands (perceptually, cognitively and inter-personally) placed upon them. Researching the construct of space has most recently involved me investigating how memory can act as a barrier to regeneration projects and the role of the Internet in reinforcing sexual fantasies. I am also interested in cognitive mapping, transport issues and other aspects of environmental psychology.

I currently teach on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, and one of my key goals in my career is to make teaching research methods and statistics less daunting for both students and staff alike! I am further interested in the role new technologies can play in enhancing the teaching and learning experience.

Secretary - Vacancy

Committee Member - Shara Maynard

Shara Maynard took her first job in academia as a research assistant at Nottingham University in 1992, immediately after graduating what is now Cardiff University. Aoart from brief sojourns into postgraduate study (Psychological Research Methods and Forensic Psychology) and an even briefer stint as a social organiser, Shara has remained teaching and researching in academia ever since.

Shara started her present post with London Metropolitan University in 2000, and spends much of her time recruiting for and teaching on the MSc in Forensic Psychology. A background interest in the psychology of learning and teaching was sparked during the completion of PGCTHLE and resulted in Shara joining the DTRP first as an ordinary committee member and subsequently as Honorary Secretary and then Treasurer. In an effort not to succumb to the luxury of an easy-going life. Shara has recently trained as a personal success coach and is currently learning all about coaching skills to psychology students at work.

Committee Member - Denise Austin

I am currently Head of Psychology and Assistant Head of Sixth Form at an Independent Girls school in Manchester. I have been an A level examiner of Psychology for over ten years, with responsibility for a team of examiners assessing areas including Child Development, Atypical Behaviour, Health Psychology, Substance Abuse, Forensic Psychology, Cognition and Law, Social Psychology and Memory.

I have previously taught at undergraduate and postgraduate level, in areas of Victimology, Forensic Psychology, Crime Law and Society, Social Psychology and Biopsychology, including the design and production of distance learning materials for MSc students. I have also taught Psychology in the state and FE sectors. I hold a BSc, MSc in Psychology and a PGCE. My roles have also involved pastoral responsibilities for students progressing to HE in addition to broader social pastoral responsibilities. My own research interests have focused upon the child as a victim/witness, but I have supervised and assessed research projects in many areas. I feel that my current role on the DTRP committee helps to represent the large body of Psychology teachers who do not teach in the HE sector.

Committee Member - Peter A Reddy

Peter graduated from Aston University in 1977 and has taught psychology there since 1999. Before this he was a social worker, a counsellor and an A level Psychology teacher. He is interested in research to improve student learning, including assessment design, approach to study, e-learning, transition to university and onwards into graduate employment, and improving student learning and employability through work placements. He teaches on outcome research in psychotherapy and on a range of other topics in applied and social Psychology. His interest in student learning is what brought him to join the DTRP.

Committee Member - Professor Steve Newstead

Steve received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Keble College, Oxford, and his PhD from the University of Nottingham. He spent almost all of his career at the University of Plymouth as Lecturer, Head of Department, Professor, Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Vice-Chancellor. He took (slightly) early retirement from the University at the beginning of 2009.

He has held a number of senior roles in the British Psychological Society, including serving as president from 2005-6. He has also served various positions on the national research councils, the Quality Assurance Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

His teaching and research interests are in two main areas; the psychology of language, thinking and problem solving; and the psychology of teaching and learning, including learning styles, methods of assessment and student cheating. He has published numerous books, book chapters and journal articles in this area.

Committee member - Liz Winter

I currently have two roles at the University of Leicester. The more established one is as Course Director for the Certificate of HE in Psychology which is a part-time evening qualification offered in the Institue of Lifelong Learning for adults wishing to study an introduction to psychology at undergraduate level. The second is acting as a researcher in the School of Psychology into the participation of adolescents from various social groups in sport, including the impact of celebrity role models, parental support and available opportunities.

I have taught Psychology around the university and spent a very interesting and illuminating spell in teaching A level Psychology in a state school. I hold a BSc, PhD in Psychology and (bizarrely) a BSc in Mathematics, reflecting a previous life in engineering design. I am interested in self-categorisation that can hinder opportunities or fulfilment. This has moved from my initial research area of women's attitudes towards computers to widening participation in the study of psychology to now why some adolescents engage in sport and others do not.

Newsletter Editor - Valerie Bentinck

I have been a member of the BPS since mid 90s and a member of the DRTP, & Qualitative Division. My main interest within Psychology is Lifespan Development, teaching/ learning with adult students. I have had a range of teaching experience from ‘A’ Level, to undergraduate level. I am currently an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck College in London, and have been involved in some exciting ‘widening participation’ activity at a Sure Start Centre in East London, for which we were awarded at the recent TES ceremony. I also manage up to 4 Open University courses as an Associate Lecturer. I have recently adjusted my work/life balance to become involved in research/writing learning materials, and the promotion of Psychology in everyday living.

PTR Editor - Paul Sander

After some fifteen years teaching Psychology in colleges of further education, I escaped to UWIC in Cardiff where I have been since 1996. I have a consistent research interest in trying to understand student’s perceptions of and orientation towards their course and their learning. This allowed me to have a second attempt at a PhD, this time through publications.

I have my place on the DTRP committee because I somewhat rashly agreed, with really no thought at all, to take over the editorship of the Division’s journal, Psychology Teaching Review (PTR). I would like PTR to become an important means of disseminating research and a way for teachers to discuss issues of relevance to teaching Psychology in the UK at all levels. I welcome your ideas so please contact at psander@uwic.ac.uk

Book Review Editor - Joy Coogan

I am a member of the Society and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am a lecturer at the University of East London, where I teach research methods, key studies and forensic Psychology. My research interests are varied and cover areas such as Children's accounts of mathematics, using Q methodology, as well as researching and evaluating Learning and Teaching within Higher Education.

Higher Education Academy Representative- Annie Trapp

I have worked in various roles since 1989 to support teaching and learning within Psychology education and am currently Director of the Higher Education Academy Psychology Network and editor of Psychology Learning and Teaching. Having studied Psychology at the University of York, I went on to complete first a PGCE and then an MSc in Organisational Psychology. Particular interests include the use of technology to support learning and teaching, experiential learning, and organisational change within higher education. Working across UK departments within the Psychology Network and also through involvement in a variety of multi-disciplinary and international initiatives I am able to bring a wide-range of viewpoints to the DTRP.

Association for Teachers of Psychology Representative - Julie Hulme

I am a senior lecturer in Psychology at Staffordshire University, where I also hold a learning and teaching fellowship. My role incorporates undergraduate teaching, particularly with regard to biological psychology, and I am also the course director for a family of novel distance learning courses for post-16 psychology teachers, including the MSc Teaching Psychology. My research focus is primarily around learning and teaching of psychology. I am also an associate lecturer for the Open University, and have taught previously in FE, as well as in adult basic skills and teacher education. My experiences in a diverse range of teaching contexts have helped me to develop a strong commitment to lifelong learning.

I have been involved with the Association for the Teaching of Psychology (ATP) since 2005, and my current committee role for them involves establishing links between HE and the post-16 sector. I feel that having my feet in both camps enables me to represent psychology teaching at all levels as part of my role as ATP representative on DTRP.

PsyPAG representative - Fiona Essig

I have just (Aug 2009) taken on the role of representative for the psychology postgraduates affair group (PsyPAG), with the responsibility of liasing between the committee and the wider postgraduate community (via PsyPAG) on any matters relating to teaching and research. I look forward to working with the Division and representing postgraduate views in fields that are so relevant to our current and future careers. Currently i am studying for a PhD in Cognitive Neuropsychology at the Univeristy of Hertfordshire. I am in my forth year as an associate lecturer with the Open University, tutoring a third year course in cognitive psychology. I am also a classroom assistant (proctor) at Hertfordshire on the first year research methods module and was previously a visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster for two years, delivering a module on cognitive science of perception.

Academic Assistant - Stella Williamson

In my role as academic assistant for the Division I am responsible for maintaining the webpages, and assist with the newsletter and PTR. In addition to assisting the Division, i am the graduate assistant at Newman University College, Birmingham as well as a research assistant on a project exploring the impact of an employment award on graduate employability at Birmingham University. Although I am not a member of the committee I do support them in their activities.